Eagles vs. Rams: Key players and observations

Eagles vs. Rams: Key players and observations

Heading into Sunday’s game as 13 point underdogs to the formidable Los Angeles Rams, the Eagles accomplished a major feat, upsetting the Rams by a score of 30-23 in their own building.

I noted some key players and observations from the Eagles’ thrilling victory in Los Angeles:

Nick Foles

Foles certainly has a knack for rising to the occasion.

The reigning Super Bowl MVP managed to revive an Eagles’ season that for all intents and purposes, was on life support. The 29-year old quarterback took the field for the first time in 12 weeks and seamlessly moved the ball down the field from the opening drive. Utilizing seven different receivers, Foles rediscovered top receiver Alshon Jeffery, and the duo connected eight times for 160 yards.

After putting together a masterful performance on the game’s biggest stage, no moment is too big for the former Arizona Wildcat, and Sunday night was no exception. Foles’ presence seemed to ignite a certain energy and confidence we hadn’t seem from the team since last February.

Named the starter for the second consecutive week, Foles will look to add to his legend in another must-win game against the Houston Texans.

Avonte Maddox

Returning from a three week absence, rookie Avonte Maddox provided a shot in the arm to the Eagles’ secondary.

Mostly seeing time at safety alongside Malcolm Jenkins for most of the season, Maddox spent the evening on the perimeter, playing corner. Targeted six times, the ascending rookie only allowed one reception for eight yards. Maddox added a pass breakup, a phenomenal interception and three tackles to his remarkably active night.

Maddox has now spent time at nickel, safety and boundary corner this season. The 22-year old playmaker will be a force on the Eagles’ defense for years to come.

Alshon Jeffery

Jeffery re-established himself as a focal point on offense, as evidenced by his eight catches for 160 yards. Jeffery is at his best when he is able to play ‘above the rim,’ and there were multiple occasions where Foles threw it up and let Jeffery go get it. Jeffery found continued success working on corner Aqib Talib. Last season, Jeffery hauled in six receptions for 84 yards and two scores when Talib came to Philadelphia as a member of the Denver Broncos.

A much-needed big night from their top receiver, coupled with the running game, allowed coach Doug Pederson to have the entire playbook at his disposal.

Wendell Smallwood

Though he hadn’t touched the ball since Week 11, running back Wendell Smallwood played a key role in the Sunday’s victory.

Carrying the ball ten times for 48 yards and two touchdowns, Smallwood was running like a man determined to prove the Eagles’ and running backs coach Duce Staley right for sticking with him. While Josh Adams led the backfield in carries (15), Smallwood was the most productive. The third-year back assumed the Corey Clement role on offense, even adding two receptions out of the backfield. His tough running extended drives, and most importantly, kept the clock running.

Smallwood figures to see an uptick in snaps the rest of the season in wake of Corey Clement’s season-ending knee injury.

So far, the former West Virginia Mountaineer is running with the opportunity.

Cre’Von LeBlanc

As the saying goes: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Discarded by the Detroit Lions in early November, LeBlanc joined the Eagles in the week leading up to their first clash with the Cowboys.

LeBlanc has started at nickel corner the past three weeks, and has accounted for twelve tackles and a pass deflection over than span. What has really stood out to me, is just how scrappy the 5-foot-11, 190 pound corner is. He challenges receivers at the catch-point and has proven to be an exceptional tackler, particularly in the open field.

LeBlanc played 74 out of 76 plays on defense in Los Angeles.

It appears as though the Eagles found a treasure in the 24-year old corner.

Corey Graham & Tre Sullivan

Graham has played 280 defensive snaps, out of a possible 282, over the past four weeks. The 33-year old notched two critical interceptions over the past two weeks. Graham has 51 tackles and two interceptions on the year, after re-signing with the team late in training camp. Aside from surrendering a gut-wrenching 4th-and-15 conversion in overtime against the Tennessee Titans, for a backup safety, you could do a lot worse.

Sullivan has played 93 snaps over the past three weeks. The second-year safety has seen his role and responsibilities increase with each passing week. It was Sullivan who batted a botched punt to teammate D.J. Alexander late in the game on Sunday night.

Sullivan’s development, coupled with Corey Graham’s veteran presence, allowed the Eagles to use Maddox at corner against the Rams. Given the injury situation at the cornerback position, having a player like Maddox to play on the outside gives the defense a tremendous advantage.

Observations:

-With all the talk surrounding defensive tackle Aaron Donald, it was his counterpart Fletcher Cox that really shined on Sunday night. Cox was disruptive all night long, benching pressing guards into the Rams’ backfield, and was the catalyst behind stymieing the Rams’ rushing attack.

–Rasul Douglas looks like he has a future at safety for the Eagles. The second-year corner notched 11 tackles against the Rams, including a couple tackles that reminded fans of Sheldon Brown.

-Solid effort from reserve defensive tackles Treyvon Hester and Bruce Hector. Hester logged 26 snaps, while Hector played 11 snaps. They were part of a defensive line that forced the Rams to become one dimensional.

–Josh Adams struggled to get anything going on Sunday night. What was more concerning to me, was the fact that he continues to struggle in short-yardage situations. At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, you’d expect him to convert a lot of those. His upright running style hinders his momentum, and defenders are able to stop him in his tracks.

-The entire offensive line deserves a ton of credit. Outside of a few early hits, they kept Foles upright the entire game, and their sound blocking was particularly evident on Smallwood’s touchdown runs. If they can consistently play at that level, the talented Eagles’ offense can move the ball on any team.

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